Cable clamp and sealing device



July 15, 1947.

v R. E. THOREN CABLE CLAMP AND SEALING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 28, 1944 m m I F a 4 W 5 a. 2 z m i. M

Faber? E Tim ran 1947- R.- E. THOREN 2,424,067

CABLE CLAMP AND SEALING DEVICE Filed Oct. 28, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E 4 1510b 2.6 fiMerZET/Earem Patented July 15, 1947 Claims. (01. 114-") This invention relates to cable sealing and clamping devices, and itconsists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It is the cardinal object of the invention to provide sealing and clamping devices for use in connection with electrical or other cable which must pass through a watertight bulkhead or junction box as employed in construction of ships.

More specifically it is an object of the invention to provide a clamping and sealing device for The inserts have longitudinal side walls smoothly finished and when adjusted upon a cable will lie in opposed parallel relation. The over-all diameter of the assembled inserts is considerably less than the interior diameter of the tube l0, thus. forming a space 20 circumierentially within the tube when positioned therein. Each insert is formed with a, semi-circular opening 2i, which when aligned with one another form a circular opening of a diameter to receive a cable therethrough, the opening extending from the tapered cables wherein a housing is employed having means for securement to a bulkhead junction box or the like, the housing being constructed to receive a pair clamping inserts upon an interposed cable, the inserts being firmly held within.

the housing by a glan nut, and the housing further including means for admission of a molten sealing agent in and around the inserts and cable. Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 isa sectional view illustrating a terminal tube constructed for accommodation of a standard cable.

Figure 2 is a similar view of a bulk head tube for reception of a standard cable.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a bulk head tube for use in connection with a self-sealing cable.

Figure 4 is a similar view of a terminal tube for accommodation of a self-sealing cable.

Figure 5 is a plan view 01' one of the clamp inserts.

Figure 6 is a similar view illustrating the interior surface of one of the clamp inserts.

Figure 'l is a cross sectional view on the line 1-1 oi Figure 5.

Attention is first invited to Figure 1, wherein a terminal tu'be i0 is shown, one end of which is formed with a reduced exteriorly threaded boss i I for mounting in a bulkhead or for securement to electrical equipment. Th opposite end of the tube is interiorly threaded for reception of a gland nut l2.

The tube, III is formed with a tapered seat 13 upon the interior thereof concentric with a conductor outlet H. A phenolic washer I5 is employed having a face tapered and complemental to the seat IS, the opposite face being planiiorm, tor a purpose to be described. The washer is formed with an opening concentric with outlet H.

A pair 01' clamp inserts l6 are employed oi' identical form, consisting of a semi-cylindrical portion I! having a smooth planilorm face i8 at one end, the other end I 9 being oi tapered formation.

end I9 inwardly, and at longitudinally spaced points upon the semi-circular openings 2i arcuate ribs 22 are formed, the innermost rib 22 being located approximately medially oi the, length of the inserts, defining a termination of the semicircular opening, the interior wall of the inserts being outwardly relieved to form a concentric passage 23. Each insert i6 is formed with a plurality or radial openings 24 forming communication between the space 20 and the passage 23, for a. purpose to be explained.

At a point inwardly oi! the face l8 and aligned with one of the openings 24, a flattened portion 25 is formed upon the exterior 01' one of the inserts 2i, and aligned with said portion and the opening, the tube Iii is provided with a threaded opening 26 into which a conventional Zerk'flt ting 21 is engaged. The inner end of the fitting should engage the flattened portion 25 so as to maintain the inserts l 6 against rotary movement.

The tapered portions of the inserts are formed with flattened portions 28, arranged in opposed relation, adapted to receive the jaws of a pair of pliers for temporarily securing the inserts upon a cable.

The gland nut I2 is formed with a tapered bore 29 corresponding to the tapered portions l9 0! the assembled inserts ii.

In use, the tube I0 is threadedly engaged with a bulkhead, junction box or the like, the interior of the tube i0 and cable 30 are coated with a suitable bonding agent. The gland nut i2 being disposed upon'the cable, the inserts 2| are positioned upon the cable at a proper location so that the conductor cables 3i may extend through the outlet l 4. A compressive force is applied upon the inserts at points 28 by means of a pair oi pump pliers or the like, causing the ribs 22 to crimp the cable slightly. The washer I5 is now placed upon the cable with the planiiorm face resting against the end l8 of the inserts IS. The assembly is now presented into the tube with the conductor wires extended through the outlet II. The assembled inserts are now adjusted so as to bring the flattened portion 25 into aligned relation with the fitting 21, when the latter is screwed inwardly so as to engage the flattened portion 25 of the insert, thus maintaining the latter against rotation. The gland i2 is next moved into engagement with the threaded end of the tube l and tightened. It will be noted that due to the tapered relation between the inserts 2| and the gland nut i2 inward sliding movement of the inserts is effected, forcing the washer firmly against the seat i3 and at the same time causing the ribs 22 to firmly seat themselves into the cable 30. A molten sealing compound, such as wax, is now forced through the fitting 21 by means of a pressure gun, the compound discharging through openings Zl into the chamber 23 of the inserts. The compound will also be discharged into the space 20 and when hardened, it will be apparent that the cable 30 is securely clamped within the tube as well as efiectively sealed therein. 7

The construction shown in Figure 2 is employed for securing and sealing a standard cable in a bulkhead tube, the parts being identical with those of Figure 1 with the exception that the tube I0 is shown as having a flange 32 to be welded to the bulkhead 33, and the washer i omitted, being replaced by forming the inner ends of the inserts with tapered ends 34 complemental to the seat I3. It will also be seen that the inner ends of the inserts are .iormed upon their inner faces with ribs 22' for gripping the cable immediately outward of the bulkhead.

A modified form of the latter construction is shown in Figures 3 and 4, adapted for use with a self-sealing cable. In these two forms, inserts 2i-a have opposite ends tapered to the same degree, and the seats [3' of the tube [H and the bore 29-a of the gland nut l2a formed to correspond therewith. The inserts 2l-a are interchangeable with a bulkhead tube or a terminal tube.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that in each form of the device the cable is firmly secured within the tube against movement which might tend to break the seal around a cable, and that the tube may be quickly and eilfectively rescaled by the mere application of a pressure pump to the fitting 21.

While I have specifically shown and described preferred forms of my cable sealing and clamping device, I consider as my own all such modifications in construction as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cable sealing and clamping device comprising a tube having one end constructed for securement to a supporting wall, the other end being interiorly threaded, a gland nut threadedly engaged in said end, a cable extended through said tube, separable insert members within said tube and disposed about said cable, said insert members having opposed ribs for engaging said cable, and relieved portions forming a circumferential space around said cable, each insert having a plurality of openings forming communication with the interior of the tube, said tube having a valved fitting for admission of a sealing compound within said tube and circumferential space, and said inserts having a tapered end complemental to a tapered bore of said gland nut.

2. A cable sealing and clamping device comprising a tube having one end constructed for securement to a supporting wall, the other end being interiorly threaded, a gland nut threadediy engaged in said end, a cable extended through said tube, a tapered seat within the tube inwardly of the first named end, a pair of semi-circular insert members disposed about said cable, longitudinally spaced semi-annular ribs upon the interior of said inserts in bearing contact with the periphery of the cable, the overall circumference of said inserts being less than the interior diameter of said tube defining a space, said inserts having relieved portions extending over a substantial distance of the length of the inserts forming a passage therearound, openings being formed in said inserts forming communication between said space and passage, a washer complemental to said tapered seat, said inserts having endwise bearing contact with said washer. and having a tapered end opposite thereto, said gland nut having a tapered bore complementai to the tapered ends of said inserts, and a valved fitting on said tube for admission of a sealing compound within and around said inserts.

3. A cable sealing and clamping device comprising a tube having one end constructed for securement to a supporting wall, the other end being interiorly threaded, a gland nut threadedly engaged in said end, a cable extended through said tube, a tapered seat within the tube inwardly of the first named end, a pair of semi-circular insert members disposed about said cable, longitudinally spaced semi-annular ribs upon the interior of said inserts in bearing contact with the periphery of the cable, the overall circumference of said inserts being less than the interior diameter of said tube defining a space, said inserts having relieved portions extending over a substantial distance of the length of the inserts forming a passage therearound, openings being formed in said inserts forming communication between said space and passage, said inserts having tapered ends complemental to said tapered seat and a similarly shaped bore of said gland nut, a valved fitting on said tube for admission of a sealing compound within and around the inserts, and one of said inserts having a flattened portion upon the periphery thereo! for accommodation of the inner end of said valved fitting to maintain the inserts against rotary movement upon tightening of said gland nut.

ROBERT E. THOREN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

